Galaga Legions DX comes exclusively to Xbox Live on Windows Phone this week

Shoot 1UP may have just launched on Xbox Live two weeks ago, but it looks like another shoot-em-up is due this week as well. This time it’s Namco Bandai’s Galaga Legions DX, the latest game in the venerable Galaga series.

In Galaga Legions DX, players must pilot a single ship accompanied that always points up, just like the original game. But now massive hordes of enemies come from all sides, making for a much more frantic experience. Thankfully a neon line shows the path they’ll take before they come on screen, giving players a moment to prepare for the onslaught. The hero’s ship also has two smaller satellite ships that can point in different directions – it will be interesting to learn how we’ll direct them on the touch screen.

Galaga Legions DX consists of 10 levels, each with multiple waves of alien invaders to blast. A clock constantly ticks down, encouraging you to clear the waves as quickly as possible in order to go for higher scores. Each level can also be played on Hard for a greater challenge (and an Achievement worth a whopping 70 GamerScore). Rounding out the package is a Time Attack mode, also with its own Achievement.

Retro chic

This installment shares little in common with the original Galaga, a game I wish had been ported to Windows Phone 7 at some point. But it does have that great neon look that all the kids love these days. Plus you can select from a variety of ‘skins’ for the game’s ships, including the original arcade Galaga sprites.

Brace your wallet

Like last year’s Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, Galaga Legions DX is a Windows Phone-exclusive port of the Xbox Live Arcade game of the same name. That’s good! However, it also clocks in at the same steep price: $6.99. Will it justify the price tag? We'll find out when Galaga Legions DX launches on Wednesday, September 5.

Update: As it turns out, the Windows Phone version of Galaga Legions DX has only three levels and a Championship mode. The other levels and Time Trial were cut from this version.